How cells move and store fats
Lysosome‐Lipid Droplet Interactions in Fatty Acid Metabolism
This work looks at how tiny cell parts shuttle fatty acids to prevent harmful fat buildup that can contribute to liver and metabolic diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Albuquerque, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11320815 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will examine interactions between lysosomes and lipid droplets — the cell compartments that break down and store fats — using advanced imaging and molecular lab methods. They will focus on membrane contact sites that may move fatty acids from lysosomes into lipid droplets for safe storage. Experiments will use cultured cells and molecular tools to trace lipid traffic and identify the proteins involved. The goal is to understand how these pathways protect cells from toxic free fatty acids linked to conditions like non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with or at risk for metabolic conditions such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease might be eligible for future related studies or opportunities to provide samples.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate clinical treatment or those without metabolic or liver-related fat problems are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this laboratory-focused research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to prevent or treat fatty liver and other metabolic conditions by stopping toxic fat accumulation in cells.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies have established lysosomal lipid breakdown (lipophagy), but the proposed pathway of lipid transport from lysosomes to droplets is a newer idea with limited direct evidence so far.
Where this research is happening
Albuquerque, United States
- University of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr — Albuquerque, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pu, Jing — University of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr
- Study coordinator: Pu, Jing
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.